Cortland Repertory Theatre wraps up their 39th annual summer season with the New York State professional premiere of the "new" 1940's musical "The Andrews Brothers". Created by Roger Bean, this hilarious musical tells the madcap adventures of three USO stagehands and one gorgeous pin-up girl, featuring the wonderful music made popular by the Andrews Sisters. CRT's Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson says "The best way to describe the show is: Imagine Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in a road movie of "Some Like It Hot", wrapped in a wonderful musical valentine to the heroes of World War II!"
Performances of CRT's "The Andrews Brothers" will run from September 1 - 11 with evening performances at 7:30. Matinees are available on September 3, 5 and 8 at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or in person at the CRT Box Office at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org. There is a small additional charge for online sales. The show is suitable for all ages with goofy antics of the characters and fun, peppy music.
The show begins at an afternoon rehearsal for a USO show in the South Pacific. Max, Lawrence and
Patrick Andrews are rehearsing with pin-up girl
Peggy Jones for the big show that night. What Peggy doesn't know is that the brothers are really just the stagehands for the show - her back-up singers didn't arrive in time, and the boys were recruited by the Major in charge to fill in where needed. Peggy soon discovers their true jobs (the 4F ailments that kept them out of the Army - including asthma, flat feet and poor eyesight - bubble to the surface as they rehearse), but she's convinced they'll do a fine job nonetheless. Of course, Peggy falling in love with sweet and stammering Patrick doesn't hurt their case either. Just as they assume all will work out well, a radiogram arrives with the news that the headliners for tonight's show, The Andrews Sisters, have been held in quarantine in Hawaii. The show must be cancelled. Unless, of course, there's a way for the Andrews Sisters to appear...!
Act Two opens with Peggy finishing her onstage set at that evening's show. She introduces The Andrews - and the three brothers must now pull off the performance of a lifetime as they become Maxine, Patty & Laverne Andrews. Donning dresses, wigs and some extra large high-heeled shoes, the boys and Peggy perform hysterical versions of the Andrews Sisters' most popular hits, including "Rosie The Riveter", "Mairzy Doats", "On A Slow Boat To China", "Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar", "Ac-cent-chu-ate The Positive", "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree" along with many more!
"We're so excited to bring this show to New York State for its first professional production." Thompson says. "On top of having some of the greatest songs ever written for a tight-harmony singing group, the show is hysterically funny too! We couldn't be happier with this cast because they are all brilliant comedians in their own right. Teaming the four of them together makes for a fantastic show!"
"The Andrews Brothers" is directed and choreographed by
Bert Bernardi, who previously directed "The Pajama Game" this summer and in earlier summers, "Johnny Guitar" and "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" amongst others. Music Direction is by Markus Hauck, who also worked on CRT's "Brigadoon" this summer.
The stuttering
Patrick Andrews will be played by
Andrew K. Moss, whose previously CRT credits include "Forever Plaid" and "The Great American Trailer Park Musical". Flat-footed Max Andrews is played by
Sean Riley, who previously was seen in CRT's "Johnny Guitar". The giggly, nearsighted Lawrence Andrews is played by
Syracuse University grad
Gordon Maniskas, making his CRT debut. Rounding out the cast is
Lara Hayhurst, also in her CRT debut, portraying
Peggy Jones. Musicians include Bob Stenger on percussion, Shannon Cockbill on bass, Joe Ford on reeds, Stephen Caulkins on trombone and Jenn Fox on trumpet.
Eric Behnke doubles as Stage Manager and Lighting Designer for this production, assisted by Kris Valentine organizing the backstage crew. Design staff includes many CRT returnees including Scenic Designer Jason Bolen, whose work was seen in "The Pajama Game" earlier this summer and "Damn Yankees" last summer. Also featured are Costume Designer
Jimmy Johansmeyer, Properties Designer Sam Sheehan and Sound Designer Dave Huber, who have all spent the summer at CRT. Patrick McGovern continues to serves as Technical Director.
CRT continues the tradition of "Friday Night Talk Backs" at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew take place after every Friday evening performance. CRT is also accepting "Early Bird" subscription orders for the 2011 season. See CRT's website for more details at www.cortlandrep.org.
